Stories Archive - Page 85 of 162 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Percy Arthur Gurd

Surname: Gurd

Other names: Percy Arthur

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Edmonton, London
Bournemouth, Dorset
Aldershot, Hampshire
St. James, Shaftesbury
Lambeth, London

Story:
Percy Arthur Gurd was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th January 1894 and baptised at St. James' Church on 25th March 1894, the son of Henry Gurd and Mary Ann Gurd (née Davis). His father died in 1899 and by 1901 he was living with his mother at 10 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 17th January 1916 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Driver (Service No. 141177). During training at Aldershot, Hampshire, in the handling of mules, he was admonished for leaving his unattended on one occasion. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living boarding at 11 Bolwell Street, Lambeth, Surrey, where he was described as a Grocer. He married Olive Eugenie Mackeeg at Lambeth, London, in 1922. By the time of the 1939 Register he was residing at 46 Westerham Avenue, Edmonton, London, and was working as a Grocery and Provisions Assistant. He had moved to Bournemouth, Hampshire, by 1981 where he died on 31st May in that year.

Percy's brother Alfred Joseph (b.1891) also served in the war, With the Bedfordshire Regiment.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
Alfred Joseph Gurd
The National Archives

Ernest George Hayter

Surname: Hayter

Other names: Ernest George

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Battersea, London
Mons, Belgium
Laz Alexandrinenstr, Germany
Fulham, London
St. James, Shaftesbury
Lambeth, Surrey

Story:
Ernest George Hayter was born in Shaftesbury on 8th August 1886 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 29th August 1886, the son of Charles Hayter and Susan Jane Edwards Hayter (née Upjohn). He lived his early life latterly at 7 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 he was boarding at 21 York Road, Battersea, London, SW, and described as working 'Under Government Army'. He enlisted and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and, at the outbreak of war was sent to Mons, Belgium, on 16 Aug 1914 and was almost immediately taken prisoner on 24th August 1914 only three weeks after the conflict began. He remained a Prisoner of War at a camp near Laz Alexandrinenstr, Germany, until his release at the time of the Armistice. He returned to Shaftesbury and there married Flora Kate Luke at Holy Trinity Church on 25th December 1918. He was eventually discharged from the army on 31st March 1920 with a pension and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at 42 Cambria Road, Lambeth, Surrey, as an Indoor Messenger for the Ministry of Agriculture. His wife died in 1938 and he later re-married Ellen Lily May Fordham, a widow, at St. Dionis Church, Fulham, London, on 30 Jul 1939. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 12 Parsons Green Lane, Fulham, London, working as a Paper Keeper with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He died at the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 2 Nov 1947 His brothers, Harry John Hayter and Percy Charles Hayter, also served in the conflict.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Ernest George Short

3rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Short

Other names: Ernest George

Locations in this story:
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Shaftesbury, Dorset

Story:
Ernest George (sometimes known as George Ernest) Short was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset in 1888, the son of Charles Short and Emma Short (née Stainer). He lived all his life in the Enmore Green and Shaftesbury area apart from when on Military Service. He enlisted as George Ernest Short and joined the 10th Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 24768). It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1920 at the early age of 32 years.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives

Harold Tuffin

3rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment, Rifle Brigade, Royal Engineers /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Tuffin

Other names: Harold

Locations in this story:
Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Croydon, Surrey

Story:
Harold Tuffin was born in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9th September 1896, the son of Henry John Tuffin and Mary Tuffin née Yeatman. He lived his early life in Fontmell Magna until, by 1911, the family had moved to 47 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as Private (Service No. 1677). He later transferred to the Rifle Brigade (Service Nos. 2350 & 207220) and then to the Royal Engineers as a Pioneer joining the 75th Signal Company. It is not known in which theatre of war he served but on his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. (The 1921 Census record cannot be found.) In 1928 he married Kathleen M. Bowley in Croydon, Surrey, and by the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 31 Pawsons Road, Croydon, working as a Lorry Driver. It is noted he enlisted in the Home Guard at Croydon on 31 Mar 1944. He died in Croydon on 6th January 1967.

Images:

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The National Archives

Alfred George Jenkins Case

3rd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Case

Other names: Alfred George Jenkins

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Branksome, Poole, Dorset
Port Said, Egypt
Ilchester, Somerset
Dorchester, Dorset
Wyke Regis, Dorset

Story:
Alfred George Jenkins Case was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 13th September 1887 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 16th October 1887, the son of Philip Charles Case and May Lavinia Case (née Russell). He spent his early life in Shaftesbury mainly at 40 Salisbury Street. By 1911 he had moved to Branksome Police Station, Poole, Dorset, where he was a boarder and was working as a Policeman. He enlisted on 6th July 1915 and joined the Royal Navy (Service No. F6313). He served on land based establishments associated with the Royal Naval Air Service particularly in Port Said, Egypt, where he was promoted to Leading Mechanic with specific attention to the Kite Balloon Section. He was transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force on 31st March 2018 (Service No. 206313) with the same rank. He was discharged on 10th March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married May Pope at St. Mary Major Church, Ilminster, Somerset, on 21st April 1919 and they went on to have two children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 13 Victoria Road, Wyke Regis, Dorset, as a Police Constable and the 1939 Register indicates he had been transferred to Dorchester and was living at 42 Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset now described as a Retired Policemen, although he was listed on the 1st Police Reserves for Dorset Constabulary. He died in Dorchester, Dorset, on 8th January 1960.

Images:

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The National Archives

Ernest Edwin Dennis

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Marine Artillery /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Dennis

Other names: Ernest Edwin

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bemerton, Wiltshire
Hove, East Sussex
Glastonbury, Somerset
Blandford, Dorset
Bridport, Dorset

Story:
Ernest Edwin Dennis was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th September 1895, the son of Thomas Dennis and Emily Norton Dennis (née Barnes). He lived his early life at the family home at 31 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 19th January 1916 and joined the Royal Marines Artillery as a Private (Service No. RMA 1615/S). By 1918 he was serving aboard HMS Cyclopes II. On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him boarding and working as an Outfitters Assistant at his employer's premises of Marshall & Co, Drapers, of Market Place, Blandford, Dorset. He married Amy Louisa Vickery at Bemerton, Wiltshire, on 28th May 1924 and later the 1931 Electors Register shows them living at 155 South Street, Bridport, Dorset. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 16 High Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, and was now described as a Master Tailor and Gents Outfitter. His death was recorded at the Hove, East Sussex, Registry in 1975.

Ernest's brother Samuel Thomas (b.1887) also served in the war, with the Royal Army Service Corps.

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Samuel Thomas Dennis
The National Archives

Albert James Lodge

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Royal Air Force, Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Navy /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Lodge

Other names: Albert James

Locations in this story:
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Felixstowe, Suffolk
Scilly Isles
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Old Boundary Road, Cann, Shaftesbury
Filton, Bristol

Story:
Albert James Lodge was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th May 1894, the son of Charles Lodge and Sarah Ann Lodge (née Hunt). He lived his early life at 28 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on the 2nd August 1917 and joined the Royal Navy attached to the Royal Naval Air Service as an Air Mechanic Class 1 (Service No. F34975). He served at Felixstowe, Suffolk, until 31st March 1918 when he was transferred to the Royal Air Force with the same rank (Service No. 234795). He served with the 234th Squadron on the Scilly Isles until his discharge on 22nd March 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal. He married Rose Emily Hopkins in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 1919 and they went on to have two children. The 1921 Census shows he had moved to 25 Brook Road, Filton, Bristol, where he worked as a Cabinet maker for the Bristol Aircraft Company. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 12 Pauls Dean Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, described as a Carpenter and Joiner. He had moved back to 12 Old Boundary Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, by the time of his death in the Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, on 21st March 1954.

Images:

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The National Archives

Augustus James Bealing

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 85th Provisional Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Bealing

Other names: Augustus James

Locations in this story:
Castle Cary, Somerset
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Cann, Dorset
Londonderry, Ireland
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Lower Blandford Road, Shaftesbury

Story:
Augustus James Bealing was born in Castle Cary, Somerset, on 11th October 1894, the son of Augustus James Bealing and Emma Jane Bealing (née Gray). By 1901 the family had moved to Shaftesbury, Dorset, and finally set up home at 25 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. Augustus attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1907 to 1910.

Augustus enlisted on 5th September 1912 with the 4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 1671). He later joined the 85th Provisional Battalion (Service No. 200171) and served in Londonderry, Ireland, where he was promoted to Corporal. He was discharged on 22nd April 1919 having been granted a limited pension until 20 Nov 1920 due to knee problems caused during his service. No medal record can be found in this case. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents back at 25 Slaisbury Street, Shaftesbury, assisting his father in his photographic business. He married Kathleen Ethel Fowler in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 1932. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Brynmawr, Lower Blandford Road, Cann, Shaftesbury, described as a Photographer. His death was recorded at 25 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, on 24th January 1977.

A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Augustus served and the year and term in which he left school. His name is also included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war, which is now in the archive at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, June 1910
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives
Shastonian

Howard Jesse Trowbridge

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Machine Gun Corps, Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Trowbridge

Other names: Howard Jesse

Locations in this story:
Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Southgate, Middlesex
Bristol
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Angel Lane, Shaftesbury
Stoke Newington, Middlesex

Story:
Howard Jesse Trowbridge was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 5th October 1889, the son of John Trowbridge and Huldah Maria Trowbridge (nee Gage). He lived his early life in the St. James area of Shaftesbury. By 1911 his address was given as The Cedars, Angel Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted with the 1st/3rd Battalion of the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry (Royal Bucks Hussars) as a Private (Service No. 1667). He served in France & Flanders from 21 Apr 1915 and was later transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps (Service No.165850) where he was promoted to Corporal. He was discharged on 22nd February 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. He gave his address on the Absent Voters List of 1918 and 1919 as 17A Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He married Hilda May Grenyer in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1920 and they went on to have two children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 66 Fairholt Road, Stoke Newington, Middlesex, working as a Buyer for the Children's Clothing Department of James Bros (Holloway Road) Ltd, Drapery Store. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 149 Hedge Lane, Southgate, Middlesex, now described as a Divisional Secretary (Children's Homes and Orphanages later the National Children's Homes). His death was recorded at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, on 5th September 1967.

Images:

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The National Archives

John Cox

2nd June 2020/in 1914-1918 Hussars, Royal Tank Corps /by Chris Stupples

Surname: Cox

Other names: John

Locations in this story:
Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bangalore, India
Transvaal, South Africa
France & Flanders
Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury

Story:
John Cox was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1876, the son of Isaac Cox and Sarah Cox (née Lilly). He lived his early life in Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted on 9th October 1899 and joined the Corps of Hussars as a Private (Service Nos. 4216 & 47445). He served in Bangalore, India and Transvaal, South Africa where he was awarded a total of six campaign medals and various clasps. He married Lottie Camelia Wright in the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District in 1904. During the First World War he served in France & Flanders where, in due time, he was promoted to Corporal and transferred to the Royal Tank Corps (Service No. A/N 536301). At the time of the Absent Voters List of 1918 he gave his address as 16 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was eventually discharged with a pension on 21st March 1922 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. It is noted that his medals were forwarded in 1923 to 62 Frampton Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, and he died in Gloucester during 1931.

Images:

Links to related web content / sources:
The National Archives